This year brought joy, victory, triumph, and, sadly, immense pain with Hip-Hop’s many losses. But as always, the gift of music allowed us to get through many celebratory and trying times. As we close out the year, Baller Alert has rounded up the top albums that got us through all the moods of 2022.
Renaissance
In 2022 we were officially back outside, and Beyonce had us feeling like nothing could break our souls (pun intended) with the highly anticipated July release of Renaissance. The dance yet soulful album kept us out of our seats this summer and well into the fall and winter. We felt joy. We felt fierce. We felt confident. We felt like a bad bitch and so much more, even without any visuals (sigh).
Honestly, Nevermind
Drake took us on a euphoric European escape with Honestly, Nevermind. The self-proclaimed Champagne Papi drifted from his normal rap and melody-infused bangers and took us on vacation with this dance-inspired album. Whether you spent part of your summer at Circoloco in Ibiza, Nikki Beach in St. Barths, Nammos in Mykonos, or dreaming of being at any of these hotspots, Drizzy took us on the oonz oonz ride we never knew we needed.
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Kendrick Lamar gave us a Hip-Hop therapy session and helped us unpack some of our traumas with his fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Spoken word track We Cry Together, a standout on this polarizing project, explored toxic relationships while songs like United in Grief had us ready to open up more with our therapist.
Her Loss
We put on Drake and 21 Savage‘s joint project, Her Loss, when we felt like flexing thanks to tracks like Rich Flex, BackOutSideBoys, Pussy & Millions and Broke Boys. The up-north crooner and down-south rapper met in the middle to talk their ‘ish on this unexpected collab album.
I Never Liked You
Future put us in our toxic mood with I Never Liked You. Standout track Wait For U reminded us of our gaslighting ex, while the lyrics, “hope you can find someone to love you better than I did,” on Love You Better made us roll our eyes even more. The Toxic King himself rarely disappoints, and we couldn’t help but keep our ears glued to this album.
Love, Damini
We looked to Burna Boy‘s Love, Damini, when we were in the mood for some afrobeats and soulful slaps. The African giant has been leading the way and filling dancefloors with his fun belters. Was the day party even lit if the DJ didn’t play Last Last or Its Plenty?
DS4EVER
Gunna had us all ‘pushing P,’ or trying to figure out what that even means with the February release of DS4EVER. We were all left feeling fly thanks to tracks like “poochie gown,” “25k jacket,” and “too easy. ” The Atlanta rapper also ended 2022 on a good note following being released from jail after taking a plea in the YSL RICO case.
Give or Take
Giveon had us all in our feelings with his debut album, Give or Take — which followed the massive success of his TikTok viral 2020 hit song, Heartbreak Anniversary. On this slept-on album, the crooner gave us standout tracks like Lost Me, Another Heartbreak, and Make You Mine, which made us question whether we wanted to leave the streets and settle down or live our best City Boy/City Girl life.
